National Seniors Australia (NSA) is forging ahead with a bold wishlist for older Australians. The organisation’s 30-page budget submission lays out 16 detailed policy recommendations aimed at supporting pensioners, part-pensioners, self-funded retirees and pre-retirees—regardless of whether the Budget is delayed by an election.
“Our well-researched and innovative policies seek to improve current cost of living and more long-term issues such as pensioner concessions, employment income testing, Medicare rebates, dental care, renting and housing, and tax and financial services,” NSA Chief Executive Officer Chris Grice said.
A core focus is housing affordability for seniors. NSA’s submission aligns with recent calls for a significant boost in rent assistance—an urgent issue as older renters face rising rents that cut into their ability to afford essentials such as health, care, food and social activities. NSA wants Commonwealth Rent Assistance payments indexed to actual rental cost inflation rather than the general Consumer Price Index, citing the need to reflect real-world housing costs.
The submission also highlights ways to free up housing and encourage age-friendly downsizing. Ideas include exempting extra proceeds from the Age Pension assets test for those who move into smaller, more accessible homes, and removing financial disincentives for older homeowners who rent out spare rooms.
Healthcare is another major concern. GPs, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, face cost pressures that push fees higher, hitting older patients with increased out-of-pocket expenses. NSA backs the college’s plan to raise Medicare rebates by 40% for consultations over 20 minutes—a move it believes will relieve financial strain on both patients and doctors.
NSA also calls for a Productivity Commission review of private health insurance to ensure value for money, alongside a targeted Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme. The group points out that older Australians often skip crucial dental care due to high costs, putting their overall health at risk.
Finally, NSA wants more face-to-face banking options for seniors, particularly in rural and regional areas where bank branches have closed. It supports a proposal for Australia Post to become a licensed bank to fill the gap, arguing that older Australians need in-person financial services, especially when handling complex tasks like managing estates.
Despite potential political delays, NSA aims to push these reforms to the forefront. “Our submission, which includes estimates of the cost of each recommendation, have been carefully calibrated to benefit older people from different walks of life,” Grice said.
